can I breastfeed again??

[mydennis]

Ok, here we go.  I have a daughter who is 19 weeks old.  She's a textbook baby.  The only problem we've had with her is breastfeeding.  We had a great start but then we moved to a new house when she was 2 weeks old and feeding was never the same after that.   My supply started to drop and she wasn't gaining any weight.  I kept having to get her weighed every week.  She didn't gain back her birth weight until she was 4 weeks old.  At each of her weigh-ins I would start to feel so emotional.  I just hated that my body seemed to be failing her.  Our first baby was stillborn and ever since then I've lost a certain amount of trust in my bodies capabilities so when bf wasn't working as I hoped it was I became very discouraged.  I was advised to top her up with formula after her evening feed when she seemed hungriest.  That was my first mistake.  As you can imagine soon enough I was topping her up after every feed, but she still wasn't gaining the right weight and ofcourse my supply lessened even more.  So one day I decided to lock ourselves in the house and put an end to bottles all together.  I spent a week indoors only feeding her myself.  It was difficult and she cried alot and she never seemed satisfied.  After that the next weigh-in was bad news.  Her weight was so low that the nurse said I was strongly advised to give her formula.  So of course I did.  I dropped two of my own feeds for full 8oz bottles with formula for extra hungry babies.  Well that did the trick and she's now gaining around 13oz a week!  I've started her on baby rice now as well.  I guess my big question is, is it too late to try to get back to full time breastfeeding again?  She's in a lovely feeding and sleeping routine, should I rock the boat?  Thanks for any help.
Mary

[JacobMarksMummy]

Hi!

I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time 

All I can do is repeat staceys advise, pump, pump and pump again! You could encourage her to suckle more often too as long as she doesnt get too frustrated that she isnt getting much milk. Have you spoken to a lactation consultant? They would be able to give you more specific adive and be able to help you if you decide to take meds to help with the increase. Am I right in thinking you are trying to reintoduce two feeds? If so then try one at a time, if you let me know when she eats what I'll advise you as to which one will probally be best to start with.

It can be done, you sound v.determined and I'm sure you'll suceed. Your DD is very lucky to have such a great mummy 

[Samuel's mum]

You get lots of hugs from me for sounding brave and determined. I would also recommend you speak to an LC or a least a LLL volunteer (have a look at helpline numbers). They will help you to feel more confident as you won't need to doubt you are doing the right thing. The LLL message boards are also visited regularly by leaders so you may want to post there:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/vbulletin/
You will also find people going through what you are.
You may want to look into purchasing a SNS system or lact-aid. They are used by people relactating. You should ask the helpline about them. They attach a little tube to your nipple (doesn't hurt!) and the baby sucks to stimulate you while also getting formula though the small tube. The lact-aid system uses a plastic bag to store milk; the SNS uses a bottle but the principle is the same. Here's a picture with a mum who looks a teeny bit like a young Brooke Shields.
http://www.lact-aid.com/webmap.htm#webmap
(the ad suggests it's the answer to low supply - but the real answer is more nursing which hopefully you will be able to get back to!)
Good Luck

[daisymelan]

{{hugs}}

Good for you for being so determined.  Your lo has a wonderful mama.

All I would like to add is that I have learned on this site that there are a couple of natural herbs that can also help with supply....  I hope I get them right.

Blessed thistle and fenugeek

But I think I would see a Lactation Consultant and follow the other advise offered as well.

[mydennis]

Thank you so much ladies.  Hearing such positive feedback makes this decision feel so right.  Unfortuanately i don't feel pumping has ever helped me.  It just doesn't seem to have the same effect as my dd's suck.  I've never been able to pump a whole feed.  And believe me I've tried.  Jacobs mommy, Here is a regular day of Patricia's feeding. 
8:30 am breastfeed both sides
9:30 baby rice
12:00 7/8 oz. formula
3:30 breastfeed both sides she's never fully satisfied after this, so I usually top her up with about 4 oz. of formula.  I do this about a half hour or hour after her feed
7:00 baby rice-this feed used to be a 8 oz bottle, but was cut out a week ago, I sometimes give her an extra couple oz. of formula if she still seems hungry, but generally it's just the baby rice.  I use about 4 oz. of formula in it, so it's a good amount of baby rice that she has.
8:30 breastfeed both sides before bed
Thanks again for all of your help.  I'm travelling to the states with my daughter on Friday and will return 10 days later, so I'm not planning on starting until then.
Mary

[Katet]

My supply dropped off after ds#2 spent 4 days on a drip in hospital (at 4mo) & I brought it back up.

Looking at your routine, what I would do (& worked for me) is after the frist feed in the am, pump for 10mins, you may not get much milk, but the "pumping stimulates" then offer that milk at the next feed with formula & pump then too. Then leave the afternoon one for now & then after the bedtime one pump for 20mins... even if you are getting nothing, you are stimulating your body to produce.... it took 4 days for my supply to build up.... offer teh ebm instead of formula when you have enough.
After 4 days I think you could offer the breast at the 11am & start pumping on the 3pm.